OK here it is several months later and I've still been chasing that noise. There is nothing in this thread that I haven't tried or checked. I've had that belt hanging to guitar string tight. No difference, still there. blah blah blah.
In another thread I mentioned the Sta-Bo bushings and the fact I picked up a set. Well they have been sitting on the shelf for some time now awaiting installation. While the bike was on the lift a few weeks ago I noticed I had a nail in my nice new rear tire. So I ordered a set of tires for the front and rear as the front is looking a little feathered.
This morning I decided today was the day I was going to work on the bike. Up on the lift it went and off came the rear wheel and swing arm. I changed the tire from a 140 to a 150 and thoroughly cleaned the wheel while it was off of the bike. I pressed the bushings out of the arm and installed the new Sta-Bo's.
Now at this point I'm not far from removing the belt. BUT what if I change the belt and bushings, how will I know where my noise is was? Well it will really suck to have to pull the arm back off but I WANT no NEED to know where this noise is coming from. So I installed everything and set it up as per the manual. Off the lift and out for a ride it goes.
Initial thought is NO NOISE. I'm jump on and off the throttle hard enough that I'm pulling the front wheel. NO NOISE. Big smile here. SO now I decide to see how the Sta-Bo's feel. I started flopping the bike left to right looking like the Police parade bikes. Solid. I'll give it a good road test tomorrow while the sun is up.
While I had the bike on the lift I swapped out exposed rear antenna for the hidden one. I figured I'd try it again. This time I was able to get it along the side of the fairing away from any metal. Tough task to accomplish with all of that metal in there. I pulled the giant OEM 01 turn signals off in favor of a pair of late model bullet signals. Looks much better now. I removed all of the rear stuff for Kuryakyn stuff. I didn't care for their lens covers so I sourced a set of OEM covers. Next is a OEM rear plate holder (the U shape hoop) as I'm going to cut it and machine a couple of end plugs for the tube.
After my test ride to insure all is good with the bushings and wheel I'm going to change the front motor mount just for the sake of changing it. I have it here, I just need to machine a little off of the center sleeve first.
The old girl will be fresh for this season when I'm done.